Obituary for Daniel Ward

Ward, Daniel J. (Dannie)

Dan Ward, age 48, Elk River, passed away suddenly on March 21. Dan was born on March 7, 1976.

Dan was a man of great physical strength, with the heart and soul of a gentle man. He will be dearly missed.

Preceded in death by mother, Jamie Ward, and grandparents, Forrest and Catherine Ward, and Tom and Vera White.

Survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Tracy, and treasured sons, Dannie and Vincent. Also survived by father, Daniel; brothers, Jim (Jenny); John; and David (Carrie); mother-in-law and father-in-law, Barbara and Terry Haubrich; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sara and Justin Marable; nieces and nephews, Kallie, Jacob, Brianna, Jacquee Adams (Tim), Rachel Ladehoff (Justin), Alexa and Luke Marable, and Nora; great nieces and nephews, Mylah, Elijah and Waylon Ladehoff; and cherished family friend, Max Koste.

Also survived by loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and many other family and friends.

Dan’s love for his wife and sons was absolute. Dan readily extended his love to other family and friends, and shared his bear hugs freely.

He was hard working, intelligent, honest, loving, and a lot of fun. He loved to talk, debate, dance, laugh, and just hang out with family and friends. He always was busy, but made time for everybody.

Dan never sought attention, but his genuine nature often found him right in the center of any activity. People simply gravitated to him.

Dan was a man of the earth – a farmer, hunter, angler, teacher and mentor.

Dan dedicated his life and career to farming – potatoes, corn and other crops – eventually becoming a partner in Wingard Farms at Elk River. He also owned and operated Snow Control Services for the past 13 years.

He cultivated and planted wildlife food lots for deer, turkeys, and waterfowl on 100 acres of land he purchased for that reason. The acreage was equipped with many game cameras so he could observe and share photos of the wildlife that benefited from his labor of love.

While he was the best hunter and marksman in the group, Dan offered some of his hunting time to manage the annual family deer camp on his land to the delight of his sons, brothers, nephews, uncles, and friends, guiding them to many successful hunts.

He and Tracy provided generous hospitality for the group not only on opening weekend, but for many of the hunters, throughout the entire deer hunting season, with Dan balancing his overlapping work schedule of farming and snow removal.

Dan’s sons and friends also benefited from his conservation skills – hunting waterfowl, turkeys and upland game on the farm.

Losing Dan leaves a gap that only the memories of his presence and love can fill.

Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, April 2, 2024, 10:30 a.m., St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Catholic Church, Brooklyn Park, MN. Visitation one hour prior. Burial at St. Vincent Cemetery followed by lunch in SVDP’s Regan Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.